The Tree occurrence is located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of the northern end of Thutade Lake and 1 kilometre south of the Finlay River, about 280 kilometres north of Smithers (Assessment Report 11032).
The Tree (Pinetree) area is underlain by dacite crystal tuff of the Saunders Member of the Lower Jurassic Toodoggone Formation (Hazelton Group). The rocks are commonly quartz and feldspar-phyric and dacitic to andesitic in composition. The volcaniclastics are intruded by coeval quartz monzonite to monzonite porphyry intrusions of the Black Lake Plutonic Suite. Post-mineral trachyandesite to latite dikes trend north to north-northwestward cutting all earlier stratigraphy and intrusions.
The main distinction between the geology of the Pine (094E 016) and Tree (094E 045) and Fin (094E 312) is that the latter two are underlain by a contact between hornblende granodiorite-monzodiorite of the Giegerich stock of the Black Lake Plutonic Suite and dacitic tuff of the Toodoggone Formation, whereas the Toodoggone Formation at Pine is extensively intruded by stocks, dikes and sills of quartz monzonite, monzonite and quartz latite.
The dominant structures in the area are steeply dipping faults which define a prominent regional northwest structural fabric trending 140 to 170 degrees. In turn, high angle northeast-striking faults (approximately 060 degrees) appear to truncate and displace northwest-striking faults. Collectively, these faults form a boundary for variably rotated and tilted blocks underlain by monoclinal strata.
In the Tree zone, mineralization in the Toodoggone volcanics has been generated by intrusions that follow a set of north-northwest and northeast-trending faults along the western margin of the Giegerich stock. Pyrite is more abundant in volcanic than plutonic rocks and is associated with quartz and sericite, notably in the Tree zone adjacent to Riocanex drillholes 80-9 and 80-12. Pyrite in the granodiorite rarely exceeds 3 per cent. Chalcopyrite occurs in two mineral associations: with molybdenite and minor amounts of pyrite as disseminations, fracture coatings and in quartz veins in hornblende granodiorite, commonly with associated sericite alteration and low gold tenor; and with magnetite, pyrite and significant gold values in dacitic tuff, with potassium-feldspar, sericite and chlorite alteration and replacement magnetite streaks in the hostrock.
In 1990, 126 rock samples were collected in and surrounding the Pinetree (F2) showing. Geochemistry results indicate there are two types of mineralization: 1) copper-gold within the volcanic rocks and 2) copper-molybdenum within the intrusive rocks. The best copper value from assays was from sample PT-113 of quartz-chlorite altered diorite. This sample assayed 0.952 per cent copper, 0.79 per cent zinc, 0.002 per cent molybdenum, 0.5 gram per tonne silver and 0.06 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 20300). Other samples in the immediate area yielded anomalous copper and molybdenum values including the highest molybdenum assay value of 0.18 per cent molybdenum from sample PT-116 of chlorite-altered granodiorite (Assessment Report 20300). A hornblende granodiorite sample 200 metres to the northwest of sample PT-116 assayed the highest copper value of 56 rock samples collected during 1987. Assay values are 0.47 per cent copper, 0.30 per cent zinc, 0.49 gram per tonne gold and 0.2 gram per tonne silver (Assessment Report 16502).
The Tree zone was further drill tested in 2009. The drillholes provide data in a poorly tested area and show a large diorite body in the core of the Tree magnetic anomaly. To the south, the diorite cuts a dacitic tuff and both these units have been intruded by feldspar-hornblende phyric monzonite. In the north of the Tree area at the northern margin of the magnetic anomaly, there are a series of monzonite intrusions, medium-grained to weakly porphyritic, cutting an andesite volcanic. This area is also cut by late latitic dikes although the frequency of occurrence is less than in Pine. The alteration is similar to that in the Pine area. The potassic alteration envelope stretches up to the northeast in the interpreted surface geology from the main Pine zone. Potassic alteration is observed at surface and in drilling within the northern monzonite occurrences with mafic potassic alteration at depth in the diorite. Distal propylitic alteration is observed in the southern drillholes. Trace molybdenum was found in narrow strong phyllic zones within quartz veins. Malachite staining was found in two locations on andesite and quartz monzonites much farther north getting into the Fin zone.
Three holes were drilled on the Tree (Pinetree) in 2009. Drillhole PIN09-08 intersected several intervals of favourably altered intrusive and adjacent volcanic rocks. Moderate to strong potassic altered monzonite was intersected from 3.8 to 75.4 metres. Alteration and vein intensity waned in the porphyritic monzonite intersected from 75.4 to 144.1 metres. Chlorite-magnetite altered andesite was intersected from 144.1 to 212 metres with weak copper mineralization compared to the intrusive rocks. The hole was shut down in chlorite-magnetite altered diorite from 213.4 to 334.4 metres with weakly anomalous copper values between 0.05 and 0.1 per cent (Assessment Report 31564). The other two holes did not have significant values.
Kennco Exploration (Western) performed porphyry copper exploration in the Toodoggone region between 1968 and 1973 (Assessment Reports 1846, 1886, 1983, 2035, 2380, 3120, 3031, 4396. 3266). During this period, airborne magnetometer, induced polarization, geological and geochemical surveys were carried out principally over the Fin porphyry prospect. In 1968, stream silt and soil geochemical sampling was completed on the Pine property by Kennco Explorations (Western) Limited (Assessment Report 1846). In 1969, Kennco conducted geological mapping and soil geochemical surveys on the Pine property (Assessment Reports 1886, 1983, 2035, 2326, 2380). In 1970, a soil geochemical survey and ground magnetic survey was carried out by Kennco on the Pine property (Assessment Report 3031). In 1971, a ground magnetic survey was completed for Kennco along 13 kilometres (Assessment Report 3120). In 1971, an induced polarization and resistivity survey was completed by Kennco over the Pine property (Assessment Report 3266). In 1973, a 155-kilometre airborne magnetic survey was completed over the Pine property by Kennco Explorations (Assessment Report 4396). One diamond-drill hole was located on the Fin. Much of the Kennco work covered those areas later known as the Pine (094E 016) and Pinetree (Tree) (094E 045).
In 1979, Rio Tinto Canadian Exploration Ltd completed a soil grid that covered a 7.5 northeast-southwest length, roughly centred on the Pinetree (later called Tree) occurrence (Showings B, C and D), and extending well past the new Pine zone (Showing A) to the southwest (Assessment Report 7750). While exploring the Fin area in 1979, Rio Tinto Canadian discovered the Pine copper-gold porphyry prospect and drilled two core holes in 1980 on it (Assessment Report 8331). Rio Tinto also conducted a ground magnetometer survey.
In 1980, Rio Tinto drilled ten BQ-diameter diamond-drill holes for a total of 980 metres on the Pine prospect (Assessment Report 8686). In 1981, Cominco also completed work in the area with soil and rock geochemical sampling on the MEX claims.
Electrum Resources acquired the property in 1988. In 1989, Skylark Resources carried out five small soil grids and heavy mineral stream samplings over the Pine-Tree prospects (Assessment Report 18954). In 1990, Electrum Resources optioned the property to Cominco Ltd. In 1990, Cominco Ltd. contracted Lloyd Geophysics Inc. to conduct a 37.8 line-kilometre induced polarization and 40.1 line-kilometre ground magnetometer survey on the Pinetree property (Assessment Report 21139). A total of 126 rock samples were collected in the Pinetree (Tree) area (Assessment Report 20300). Percussion drilling tested two types of mineralization. The drilling found concentrations of sub-economic copper-gold and copper-molybdenum mineralization (best grade, 0.14 per cent copper over 76 metres (Assessment Report 2113). A total of 23 percussion drlllholes were completed for a total of 1460 metres. The drilling occurred in the area from the Pinetree (Tree) prospect east towards the new Fin zone, about 1 kilometre to the east.
In 1991, Electrum collected 21 rock and 11 stream sediment samples in a prospecting program over a broad area immediately northwest of Finlay River (Assessment Report 22324). The area later gave rise to the Ryan (094E 243) and Pine North (094E 252) occurrences.
In 1992, Romulus Resources optioned the Pine-Tree-Fin property, expanded the claim holdings and performed line cutting, induced polarization surveys, soil and rock geochemical sampling, detailed geological mapping, aerial photography, survey control, additional sampling of 1980-81 drill core, and compilation of all pre-existing data. Romulus drilled 780 metres of large diameter HQ core in four drillholes on the Pine zone (Assessment Report 22873). The regional work was successful in identifying the Northwest Breccia, Pine West and Pine North prospects. Romulus Resources Ltd. carried out an induced polarization survey (Assessment Report 22873).
Additional drilling by Romulus in 1993 involved nine diamond-drill holes for a total of 1702.3 metres. A Pine deposit non-compliant National Instrument (NI) 43-101 resource of 40 million tonnes of material grading 0.15 per cent copper and 0.57 gram per tonne gold was published by Rebagliati, et al. (CIM Special Volume 46, Paper 29).
In 1995, Electrum Resources Corp. carried out rock and soil geochemical and sampling of the Kath claims, and Landsat imagery of the prospect was prepared (Assessment Report 24641). The Black claims were staked and a stream silt geochemical survey of the claims was carried out (Assessment Report 25268).
In 1997, claims covering the Pine-Tree-Fin zone and adjacent porphyry prospects were optioned by Stealth Mining Corporation, the predecessor to Stealth Minerals Ltd., from Electrum Resources Corp. Additional claims were staked to cover the Goat, Wrich (094E 047, 48), VIP and Electrum prospects. Stealth drilled 1903 metres of NQ-size core in twelve drillholes on the Pine prospect, initiated a sludge sampling program, and carried out minor additional rock and soil geochemical sampling of the area (Assessment Report 25517).
During 1998, Stealth performed 1290 metres of NQ diamond drilling in seven drillholes on the Pine prospect and made reconnaissance traverses of the Mex prospect (Assessment Report 25908).
In early 1999, about 11 line-kilometres of magnetometer survey were carried out on the Far Southwest portion of the Pine property, south of the VIP prospects (Assessment Report 25919).
In 2000, three NQ drillholes totalling 745.4 metres were drilled on the Pine prospect and reconnaissance prospecting, mapping and rock sampling on the Pine Southwest, Goat, VIP, Nub North and Nub West prospects were completed (Assessment Report 26251). During 2000, Stealth further evaluated the potential of the Pine Southwest, VIP, Goat and Wrich Hill prospects with geological mapping, detailed prospecting, and rock sampling (Assessment Report 26545).
Standard Metals Exploration Limited conducted the 2002 Toodoggone Project field exploration program under contract to Stealth Minerals. The 2002 exploration program consisted of a silt and soil geochemical survey, prospecting, rock sampling, line cutting, grid establishment, machine trenching, geological grid mapping, geological trench mapping, rock chip sampling of excavator trenches, and ground geophysical surveys (magnetometer, induced polarization, and resistivity surveys). In August, additional blocks of ground were staked and prospected on favourable regional geological and geophysical trends to the north and west of the main claim block. The program was in part helicopter supported from a road-accessed camp located on Fin Lake near the east central part of the main claim block (Assessment Report 27160). Stealth carried out induced polarization surveys on Wrich Hill, McAburn Creek, Mex and VIP prospects (private reports).
In 2003, on the vast Pine property, Stealth Minerals Ltd. embarked on an extensive program of prospecting and sampling. Most previous work on the property focused on its porphyry gold-copper potential (094E 016, 45), but the grassroots program discovered a number of very prospective high and low sulphidation epithermal gold prospects (e.g., BeeGee, Sickle Creek (094E 237) and Mess), several polymetallic skarn occurrences, and additional porphyry gold-copper showings (10K and Pine North). The 2003 exploration program consisted of silt and soil geochemical, and ground and airborne geophysical surveys, prospecting, geological mapping, rock sampling, PIMA alteration studies, line cutting and grid establishment, access trail construction, machine trenching, and diamond drilling (Assessment Report 27429). Stealth carried out magnetometer surveys on 10K and Dry Pond and 3D-inversion induced polarization surveys on 10K and Ryan Creek zones (S.J.V. Consultants Ltd., 2004 (private report)). The company also trenched a number of showings and drilled the Wrich Hill (094E 082) and Electrum/Beaver Pond (094E 125) epithermal gold prospects, and the VIP (094E 047, 48) auriferous skarn system. Trenching at Wrich Hill and VIP generated encouraging assays, such as 9.4 grams per tonne gold, 22.75 grams per tonne silver, and 0.72 per cent copper across 6 metres (Exploration in British Columbia 2003).
In 2004, Cascadero Copper Corporation, a newly formed sister company to Stealth Minerals, acquired much of the Pine property from Stealth Minerals Limited (094E 016, 45, 47, 48, 82 and 237). Stealth Minerals' exploration focus shifted to the Sickle-Sofia property (094E 237) to the immediate north of the Pine (Assessment Report 27634).
In 2005, Cascadero conducted a diamond drilling program on the Mex (094E 057) (3 holes), Ryan Creek (4 holes), and Fin (094E 312) (8 holes) areas. Fin is about 1 kilometre east of Tree (094E 045). A helicopter-supported diamond drill program of BTW-sized core included four drillholes at Mex and four at Ryan Creek. A skid-drill supported program of HQ/NTW sized core was completed on eight drillholes in the Pinetree (Fin) area; 117 rock samples were collected for geochemical analysis from the Fin, Tree, 10K, Canyon Creek, Pine North, Steel, and Dry Pond prospects. Geological mapping was conducted on the above prospects at 1:10,000 scale. The mobile metal ion soil sampling survey was employed between Ryan Creek and Pine North (Assessment Report 28071). The eight holes drilled on the Pinetree target intersected interesting but sub-economic concentrations of copper, molybdenum, and gold.
In 2007, a small helicopter-supported drilling program was employed to test a mobile metal ion soil anomaly in Pine North (Assessment Report 30200). The Ryan Creek prospect, identified by Stealth Minerals Ltd. prospecting in 2003 and drilled in 2005, was interpreted as the zinc-rich periphery of a porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit centred some 2 kilometres to the northeast at Pine North. The target was manifested by copper, molybdenum, gold, and zinc soil anomalies, and airborne magnetic, Th/K radiometric and induced polarization chargeability anomalies. Only one NQ diamond-drill hole totalling 137.31metres was completed on the Pine North prospect (Assessment Report 30200).
In 2009, Gold Fields Toodoggone Exploration Corporation and Cascadero Copper Corporation entered into an Option and Joint Venture Exploration agreement. The primary focus of the exploration activities was to expand known and locate new porphyry copper-gold targets. Most of the road accessible prospects were reviewed regardless of target type. Program activities included a 2778 line-kilometre airborne magnetic survey over most of the claim group, a 180.8 line-kilometre induced polarization survey covering most of the Finlay River Valley corridor, a prospect specific field mapping and sampling program (soil, rock, talus fines and stream sediment samples) completed in the Pine, Tree, Canyon Creek, Mex, 10K, VIP and Electrum areas, and a 4672-metre diamond drilling program (Assessment Report 31564). Fourteen diamond-drill holes were completed across the property including seven drillholes in the Pine deposit area, three in the Tree prospect, three in the area west of Canyon Creek, and one in the 10K area. Twenty-eight historic drillholes from 1992-99 were re-logged with a focus on the alteration system in the Pine and Tree zones. Anomalous zones were identified across the property, on surface and at depth, as a result of the exploration program, confirming the area has potential for porphyry, epithermal and/or skarn style mineralization. The Pine and Tree areas were mapped in detail at 1:2000, closer to 1:1000-scale was chosen for the Pine ‘discovery zone’ and the area southwest of Pine camp. The Pine area is defined by a large northeast-trending aeromagnetic anomaly. This magnetic anomaly is distinct from others in the region as it is oriented perpendicular to the regional trend. A magnetic anomaly within the Tree (Pinetree (094E 045) trends roughly northwest within the regional trend and is separated from the dominant Pine anomaly by a moderate low.
In 2011, Gold Fields Toodoggone Exploration Corp ran a drill program at the Mex (094E 057), part of the Toodoggone project under option from Cascadero Copper Corp. A total of 2477.9 metres was drilled in seven holes. The purpose of the drilling was to investigate the porphyry potential of the Mex prospect by following up porphyry indicators such as geophysical and gold and copper geochemical anomalies discovered along the northeast slope of the Mex Ridge in 2009 and 2010, the prominent oxide cap, and the mineralization intersected at depth in during the 2005 drill program. A total of 36 rock samples were also collected. Anomalous gold and copper were found in all the drillholes.
In 2012, Cascadero Copper Corporation drilled 2190.2 metres in seven holes on the Mex prospect, to test a magnetic anomaly and explore deeper (to 332 metres). Hole ME-12-008 showed early-stage magnetite-biotite-quartz veins overprinted by pervasive phyllic alteration with gypsum, laumontite and late calcite veins. Copper mineralization may be transitional between the potassic alteration stage and phyllic overprint. Drilling encountered lithic crystal tuff and latite dikes of the Lower Toodoggone Formation; and monzonite to monzodiorite intrusive rocks with minor quartz-sulphide veinlets.
